The Eternal Kingdom at Hand
By Jean Vuilleumier
Heaven’s Court in Session — Great Words Spoken — The King of Kings and Lord of Lords — The Day Is at Hand This is the third and concluding study by Elijon Vuilleumier on the seventh chapter of the book of Daniel. In previous articles, he has called attention to the four world monarchies that the prophet foresaw; he has spoken of the ten kingdoms into which the prophecy said the fourth or Roman Empire would be broken; he has dwelt upon the prediction that these kingdoms into which Rome was to be broken would never be united again; he has spoken of the ecclesiastical power that Daniel told us would arise among the ten kingdoms, and subdue or pluck up three of them. This week, the main thought is the eternal kingdom that is soon to succeed all this earthly rulership. Next week, he will present the first of several articles on the eighth and ninth chapters of Daniel. EDITOR. THE great moving-picture film of prophetic history, twenty-four centuries long, has been rapidly passing before our wondering eyes. Now the inspired dream unveils to us both heavenly scenes occurring now, and earthly scenes to occur in the near future and onward through ceaseless ages. While still gazing at the downfall of papal supremacy, Daniel is suddenly called to behold a scene of surpassing grandeur. THE HEAVENLY COURT IN OPEN SESSION
“I beheld till thrones were placed, and One that was ancient of days did sit: His raiment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool; His throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousands of thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the Judgment was set, and the books were opened.” Dan. 7:9, 10, A. R. V. Unknown to the inhabitants of the earth, the Judgment begins “at the house of God.” 1 Peter 4:17. The list is being made up of the loyal subjects of the Son of man, whose kingdom is soon to be ushered in. But while this solemn assembly is sitting in heaven, the prophet again hears the voice of the mysterious horn. GREAT WORDS THAT THE HORN SPOKE
“I beheld at that time because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake.” Dan. 7:11. Yes, instead of repenting, of humbling herself, of renouncing her past, the papacy goes farther and farther in her guilty course. In 1870, at the Vatican Council the pope is declared infallible, notwithstanding the indignant protest of history voiced by some of the most learned and distinguished members of the council. Still more, regaining some of its lost prestige, the papacy again seeks to use it for the suppression of the saints. “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for [or “in favor of”] the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.” Verses 21, 22, A. R. V., margin. Now the climax has been reached. It only remains for God to take part in the conflict in favor of His downtrodden people and truth. “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven One like unto a son of man, and He came even to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Verses 13, 14. Again referring to the apostate power, the prophet says: “But the judgment shall be set, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” Verses 26, 27. The four kingdoms have come and gone. The ten kings and the royal pontiff have appeared and have followed in their allotted course. So far, all has been fulfilled to the very letter. Little more remains but for the “saints of the Most High” to receive the kingdom,—a kingdom that is to endure “forever, even forever and ever.” Hence Jesus Christ, the blessed Son of God, the Prince of that glorious realm, is soon to appear. His coming is at hand. Dear reader, have you, by faith in Jesus Christ, become a subject of this kingdom? If not, will you not receive Him “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a people for His own possession,” “to the intent that . . . we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”? Titus 2:12-14.